Mr. Mojo Risin': Jim Morrison, the Last Holy Fool (Paperback)

by David Dalton (Author), Jean-Claude Suares (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal
Just 15 years before Morrison and his band the Doors set aflame the late 1960s rock scene, Enyalois , an ancient god of destruction described in hermetic scripts, reemerged in academic discussions. According to Rolling Stone contributor Dalton, the mythic Morrison, driven by whiskey demons and acid-laced visions of glory, seemed an avatar of this god whose name, loosely translated, meant "to render unto nothingness." Likewise, Dalton pictures Morrison as the embodiment of a tradition of doomed artists that includes Beat generation poets as well as modernist poets Arthur Rimbaud and Charles Baudelaire. Now 20 years after Morrison's death, Dalton discusses the two most interesting aspects of the so-called "Lizard King's" existence: his varied and lurid influences, and his original intention that the Doors be a performance art-based band. Doors fans will clamor for this original treatment, although Dalton's description of Morrison's demise is ordinary grist for the mill. Another recent book on Morrison is Dylan Jones's Dark Star (LJ 3/1/91).--Ed.
- Lauren Bielski, New York
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 157 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312058993
• ISBN-13: 978-0312058999
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,428,653 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Flowery 60's types need apply, January 7, 2001

By	Duncan "[e-mail]" (Austin, Tx) - See all my reviews

With a deft pen Mr. Dalton cuts through the man-made creation that many of us know as Jim Morrison to expose something more truthful. A tragic figure caught in the idealistic and pretentious 60's, trying to use music to transcend, yet ultimately defined and cliched, trapped in his own celebrity. Not always easy to stomach the book paints a picture of the rock scene and the 1960's far and away from the nostalgic musings we hear on the subject today, the picture the author paints is far more sinister. Yet through it all Morrison's music stands as a testament to his genius, and the often dark journey you take with the author serves the necessary task of shattering the creation that is Jim Morrison. When this was accomplished I felt I had an insight into Jim, a deep empathy and closeness that our pop culture seeks to conceal.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars FANTASTIC, September 7, 2000

By	"drgroovy" (Aurora) - See all my reviews

This is one fantastic look at Jim Morrison. It really does give you some insight into the man, myth and legend, without becoming to over-the-top. Not to mention the fact that I learned a lot about other poets that influenced him. Mindful, insightful. It really gives you the blood and guts of the man right in front of your eyes. Go Dave! I wonder what else your have in store for us with other rockers of days gone by.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dynamic Writing On Morrison., March 29, 2003

By	Mr. Fellini "Fellini" (El Paso, Texas United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Jim Morrison is one of the most written about performers of rock n' roll and "Mr. Mojo Risin'" stands as one of the wildest, most poetic biographies ever produced on the self-proclaimed Lizard King. David Dalton writes in a rich, feverish style that makes the book just as enjoyable to read as it is to look at. He describes in great detail Morrison's influences such as Jack Kerouac, William Blake and Nietzsche. What we end-up with is an intellecual dissection of Morrison's art, his rise to legendary heights with The Doors, one of the most influential of all rock bands, is described in mythic fashion, which is fitting considering men like Morrison are like Che Guevara, they are the mythic figures of our time in our culture. The is very fascinating when concerning the literary influences that contribute to the great lyrics of classics such as "Break On Through" and "The End." This is significant because it helps understand why the music of The Doors does not decrease in popularity, with a rich literary force in the music, it survives as does good literature. "The End" remains as vital as Conrad's "Heart Of Darkness." Jim Morrison comes off not just as a tragic poet, but also as an artist looking for answers in that which is almost spiritual, he was the first performer in rock who used the concert setting as a seance, as a religious event more than just a fun time. Consider his shamanistic movements on stage and the invoking power of the music in numbers such as "When The Music's Over." Of course, this is lost today in most of Morrison's influence on modern music when you look at bands like Marilyn Manson, Godsmack and Disturbed, even older bands with The Doors influence stamped on them such as Iggy Pop & The Stooges and Alice Cooper are more about the shock viscera than deep poetic journey. Dalton's writing is also intellectual in it's insight, as when he rightfully writes about the conservative landscape being also a breeding ground for monsters and also describes in interesting fashion the 60's and radical art changes that occurred during the era. The true delight of this book is the words, Dalton writes with great poetic prose, describing everything with visceral energy and rich phrasing which is enhanced by the great selections of photographs showing The Doors on stage and individual shots of Morrison dressed all in black leather, looking like a rebel with the heart of a poet. He almost seems prophetic. This is a poetic read and a great tribute to The Doors, their time, their music and their timelessness.